High School Block:

Metals Fabrication/Welding 120

Metals fabrication is a valuable skill in today’s world, with applications in industries such as automotive, construction, and manufacturing.  This course prepares students for a variety of career paths, both in trades and engineering or design-related fields. It fosters practical skills that are essential in many trades, enhancing problem-solving abilities, and provides a foundation for lifelong learning and career exploration in technical fields. Furthermore, learners develop a sense of pride and accomplishment through the creation of tangible projects, strengthening their sense of agency and resilience.

Metals Fabrication 120 introduces learners to the fundamental principles and techniques of metals fabrication, offering hands-on experience in working with metal materials. From an applied skill perspective, learners will engage in shielded metal arc (SMAW), plasma arc (PAC), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) welding processes.  Learners will develop essential skills such as welding, cutting, bending, and shaping metal, along with an understanding of metal types and properties. The course emphasizes safety in handling equipment and materials, project planning, and the application of technical drawing to design and fabricate custom metal projects.

In addition to practical skills, learners will gain problem-solving experience, as they follow project blueprints, troubleshoot issues, and make decisions about materials and tools. The course also encourages creativity, as students are given opportunities to design and build personal projects that reflect their interests and abilities. Through this process, learners develop confidence in working with their hands, attention to detail, and a strong work ethic.

**To safely achieve the goals set forth by this curriculum, it is suggested that class size be limited to a maximum of twenty students. Further reductions in class size may be required based on the physical space available to offer a safe working environment for learners.  As this learning needs to take place in booths or closed areas properly designed for hot work and UV radiation exposure, classes sizes should be limited to a maximum of 2 students per booth or safely enclosed area.  Due to potential safety concerns, it is necessary for the educators of this course to have relevant knowledge and experience in the safe use of tools and equipment required to enact the curriculum.

CONTEXTS AND CONCEPTS

Safety

  • Accident Prevention
  • Safe body mechanics
  • Safe use of tools and equipment
  • Safeguards and Personal Protective Equipment
Career Connections

  • Pathways to trade certification
  • Current and future career opportunities
  • Related occupations
Technical Numeracy and Literacy

  • Read and interpret trade appropriate information including technical drawings and symbols.
  • Apply trade related mathematics.
  • Evaluate charts and tables needed for weld parameters.
Applied Skills

  • Measurement and layout
  • Selection and use of hand tools
  • Selection and use of power tools and equipment
  • Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
  • Plasma Arc Welding (PAW)
  • Gas Tungsten Arch Welding (GTAW)
  • Project creation
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GRADE 12

Strand: Safety

Big Idea: Occupational, Health and Safety (OHS)

Skill Descriptor: Identify and prevent hazards that could lead to injury, illness, or fatalities in the lab or workspace.

Global Competencies: CL, CM, CTPS, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Obtain OHS Certification by completing the New Brunswick Construction Association online module (NBCSA)
  • Obtain Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) certification by completing the New Brunswick Construction Association online module (NBCSA).
  • Apply an understanding of (WHMIS) symbols in skilled trades workshops.
  • Identifying potential hazards and employing proper safety procedures in the workplace.
  • Locate first-aid supplies and determine when first aid is required and when hospitalization is required.
  • Locate and engage the emergency action plan in the workplace.
  • Demonstrate responsible behaviour to prevent accidents in a personal workspace.
  • Demonstrate responsible behavior when handling tools and equipment.
  • Utilize training to safety address workplace hazards and conditions.
  • Demonstrate the proper procedures for lock out tag out.

Big Idea: Safe Body Mechanics

Skill Descriptor: Apply safe body mechanics when working in a metals fabrication (welding) lab.

Global Competencies: CL, CM, CTPS, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Utilize training to safely lift objects.
  • Demonstrate proper positioning when using tools and equipment.
  • Create an appropriate line of sight to safely manipulate a puddle when welding.
  • Utilize proper positioning when engaging in hot work to minimize risk to yourself or others.

Big Idea: Safe Tool Use

Skill Descriptor: Safely use tools and equipment used in a metals fabrication shop.

Global Competencies: CM, CTPS, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Participate in practical demonstrations of the specific safe operation of tools and equipment in a metals fabrication lab.
  • Demonstrate competency in the use of tools and equipment in a metal’s fabrication lab.
  • Select the proper procedures and equipment to complete projects and work in a safe manner.

Big Idea: Protective Devices and Equipment

Skill Descriptor: Consistently use necessary devices and equipment to work safely in a metals fabrication shop.

Global Competencies: CL, CM, CTPS, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Select and use appropriate PPE for the operation being completed.
  • Consistently arrive to class each day with required PPE (safety boots, glasses, hearing protection)
  • Dress appropriately for a welding shop.
  • Create a safe fume free environment when completing hot work.
  • Create safe barriers minimizing the risk to others when performing hot work.
  • Ensure guards on equipment are present and functioning as designed.

Strand: Career Connections

Big Idea: Learning Pathways

Skill Descriptor: Outline pathways to certification.

Global Competencies: CM, CTPS, SASM, SGC

Achievement Indicators:

  • Describe apprenticeship pathways to certification.
  • Differentiate between post-secondary institutions and the training they provide.
  • Research post-secondary cross curricular opportunities. (automotive, plumbing, welding inspection, industrial mechanics, millwright)

Big Idea: Career Opportunities

Skill Descriptor: Research career opportunities.

Global Competencies: CM, CTPS, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Identify construction industries with welding opportunities.
  • Research entrepreneurial opportunities in industry.
  • Analyze job market statistics.
  • Discover employment opportunities related to SMAW/GTAW welding.

Strand: Technical Literacy and Numeracy

Big Idea: Technical Numeracy

Skill Descriptor: Develop and Apply numeracy skills to support metals fabrication work.

Global Competencies: CL, CM, CTPS, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Record dimensions in fractional and decimal form.
  • Measure and lay out work in both imperial and metric measurements.
  • Convert units between the imperial and metric systems.
  • Understand the importance of RPMs for rotating cutting equipment.
  • Adjust speed cutting rates appropriate for a variety of metals.
  • Recognize trade specific measurement terminology.
  • Recognize the importance of precise angles for proper fabrication of welding projects.
  • Use layout tools to measure and inform project construction.

Big Idea: Technical Literacy

Skill Descriptor: Interpret technical drawings

Global Competencies: CL, CM, CTPS, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Extract required information from a working drawing.
  • Obtain measurements from a drawing in fractional form, decimal form, metric and imperial.
  • Explain the use of hidden lines, sectional views, exploded views and magnified cut-away detail views.
  • Develop an understanding of basic welding symbols used on plans.
  • Use a working drawing to perform layout for a project.
  • Utilize a working drawing to create a physical project.
  • Describe or identify structural steel shapes used in technical drawings.
  • Differentiate between various ferrous and nonferrous metals.
  • Develop a knowledge of American Welding Standards (AWS) and Canadian Safety Association (CSA) designations for welding standards.

Big Idea: Weld Setting Parameters

Skill Descriptor: Correctly interpret charts or data to set up a welding machine.

Global Competencies: CM, CTPS

Achievement Indicators:

  • Understand the effects of voltage and amperage on the weld process.
  • Employ data charts to determine proper settings for a weld processes.
  • Recognize electrode designations.
  • Identify gauges and designations related to metal thickness and composition.

Strand: Applied Skills

Big Idea: Tools and Equipment

Skill Descriptor: Identify, select and use appropriate tools and equipment.

Global Competencies: CTPS, SASM, ICE

Achievement Indicators:

  • Operate tools to achieve the desired result when building a project.
  • Perform necessary maintenance when using tools.
  • Select and change grinding wheels.
  • Prepare metal using an angle grinder.
  • Develop proficiency when using tools.
  • Set up and operate stationary equipment found in a metals fabrication shop.
  • Select the proper procedures and equipment to complete projects and work in a safe manner.
  • Select and appropriately use lectrodes specific to the task.

Big Idea: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

Skill Descriptor: Use the SMAW process to create welds in the flat position

Global Competencies: CL, CM, CTPS, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Create a pad of beads on steel plate.
  • Generate stringers, exercising starts and stops.
  • Weave stringers.
  • Manipulate a puddle on steel plate to create an intended shape such as you’re a name in cursive.
  • Utilize multiple rod classifications (7018,6011,6010,7024) (3/32”, 1/8”,5/32”)

Skill Descriptor: Use a SMAW to create out of position welds.

Global Competencies: CL, CM, CTPS, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Produce fillet welds in both horizontal and vertical positions.
  • Create multi pass fillets around shapes and objects such as pipe, angle, channel and tubing.
  • Produce groove welds in multiple positions.

Big Idea: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)

Skill Descriptor: Develop competency with the GTAW welding process.

Global Competencies: CL, CM, CTPS, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Establish and manipulate a puddle using GTAW.
  • Use ER70S filler metal to weld using the GTAW process.

Big Idea: Plasma Arc Cutting (PAC)

Skill Descriptor: Utilize a PAC to cut metal in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Global Competencies: CL, CM, CTPS, SASM

Achievement Indicators:

  • Adjust air pressure and voltage appropriate for the cutting operation.
  • Develop appropriate travel speeds.
  • Cut metal objects and shapes for a specific purpose.

Big Idea: Project Design and Fabrication

Skill Descriptor: Use welding tools and equipment to fabricate a project.

Global Competencies: CL, CM, CTPS, SASM, ICE

Achievement Indicators:

  • Design and build an original product.
  • Create a product from a given plan.
  • Reverse engineer a product for a given purpose.
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